Software activation is the process of physically installing the licence for your software so that it becomes active and ready to use on your computer. This can be done automatically over the internet or manually by on-line web form, phone, fax or email. Obviously you can only activate software that you have already purchased a licence for. If you have lost or not received your original purchase details, see the "Obtaining Your Licence Activation Details" page.
You do not need to choose how you want to activate before you purchase. In fact, our systems let you move licences between different machines and even different activation methods any time you want. You can even use a combination of methods if you have multiple licences.
Licence Method
When activating your software you can choose to assign each licence to a specific computer (desktop licence) or, if you have a local area network, allow them to float between connected computers (network licence). For most people the desktop licence is the quickest and easiest method. For companies and universities a network licence or some combination of the two may be more suitable. You can even choose to network a single copy of the software if you have an educational or commercial licence. Again, you can swap any number of your licence between these two methods at any time by simply transferring it back and re-activating.
You should read the following guides in order to better understand the benefits of each option and choose the one most appropriate to your particular needs:
- Desktop Licence Method
(read guide) - Network Licence Method
(read guide)
How do I Activate My Software ?
To best meet the needs of different customers, there are a number of ways you can activate your software licences and control their use:
Desktop Licences
- Activation via the Internet
(step-by-step guide) - Manual Software Activation
(step-by-step guide) - Transferring Your Licence
(step-by-step guide)
Tip: Activation by the Internet is the quickest method, is secure and also allows software licences to be transfered between computers.
Network Licences
- Setting up the Network Licence Manager
(step-by-step guide) - Activating Your Purchased Licences
(step-by-step guide) - Connecting Clients to Your Licence Server
(step-by-step guide) - Changing Your Network Licence Server
(step-by-step guide) - Checking-out a Licence on a Laptop.
(step-by-step guide)
What is involved in software activation ?
Activation is a simple process by which a small licence file is copied to your computer which, when detected by the software when it starts up, changes it from evaluation (trial) mode to a fully licenced program that allows you to save, print and generally use it without restriction.
You may receive this file by email along with your sales confirmation or, more usually, by going through the online activation process within the software itself. Alternatively, you may choose to activate your software manually by phone, fax or email if you do not wish to use the online system.
When should I activate the software ?
Software activation needs to be done after you have purchased the software and before you need to start saving and printing the data you create in it.
If you inadvertently delete the licence file, or remove/re-install the software, you will need to activate again. The activation process will recognise your computer if you have previously activated the software on it (though not if you subsequently transferred it to another computer) and re-issue your existing licence rather than requesting a new one.